Portland, Maine – Thomas Gerken, 63, and Jill Gerken, 62, of Topsham, Maine, were sentenced to five months in prison and three years of supervised release for conspiracy to defraud the Social Security Administration.
The U.S. District Court Chief Judge Nancy Torresen handed down the sentence, stating that the couple’s actions were ‘greedy’ and that a period of incarceration was necessary to reflect the seriousness of their offense.
The Gerken’s were found to have diverted Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits intended for their two disabled children, instead using the funds for their own household expenses, including a mortgage, home equity loan, and utilities.
Between January 2007 and July 2013, the defendants, who were the representative payees for their children, failed to pay the assisted living facility where their children resided and falsely certified to the SSA that they had spent the SSI benefits on food and housing at the facility.
As a result of their actions, the Gerken’s were ordered to pay $98,830 in restitution.
The investigation was conducted by the SSA’s Office of Inspector General’s Office of Investigations, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Maine assisted in the efforts.
The SSA’s Office of Inspector General stated that representative payee fraud is an egregious offense, affecting some of the most vulnerable members of society.
Mandatory Facts:
- Defendant: Thomas Gerken, Jill Gerken
- Criminal Charges: Conspiracy to defraud the Social Security Administration
- City and State: Topsham, Maine
- Exact Date: Not specified (sentence handed down in 2023)
- Sentence/Outcome: Five months in prison and three years of supervised release, with the first five months to be served on home detention
- Dollar Amount: $98,830 in restitution
Related Federal Cases
- Daniel Fitzsimmons, Social Security Disability Insurance Fraud, Maine 2002 · Texas
- Luis Medina, Social Security Document Fraud, Maine 2023 · New Hampshire
- Kelly L. McCabe, Social Security Benefits Fraud, Maine 2023 · Massachusetts
- Christie Mitchell, Social Security Fraud, Maine 2024 · Washington
- Thomas E. Delahanty II, Election Fraud, Maine 2016 · District of Columbia
Key Facts
- State: Maine
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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